2 Nonprofits Partner for Textile Recycling Projects in Brainerd, MN

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Area nonprofit partners Bridges of Hope and Salem West received funding for their textile recycling project. With a Community Impact grant from Sourcewell, a baler and other equipment was purchased, enabling the organizations to profit from recycled goods that are not appropriate for the sales floor. The bales are sold and processed again with some of the fabric being made into rags, insulation, carpet padding and other fibers. The Mustard Seed and Common Goods thrift stores will collect and recycle textiles in unsellable condition, diverting an estimated 400,000 pounds of textile waste from landfills annually.

“Our thrift stores have always recycled fabric, which is great, but now we will make money doing it,” Danell Eggert, retail director at Bridges of Hope, said in a news release. “Keeping items out of the landfill and helping people with the money generated…that’s a lot of good, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”

“Salem West and Bridges of Hope have always worked together to help people, and now with this recycling project we’ll work together to make money to support our missions with this added revenue stream from recycling,” said Jason Kempthorne, director of outreach at Salem West.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com